10 Medical Supplies You Need to Have in Your House

To make the physical evaluation more comfortable for the patient, try to get to the site of the discomfort by the end of the exam. If his or her left leg is painful, examine the entire body before reaching that leg. This helps the person to be relaxed and confident that you will not hurt them or cause pain. For those who are traumatized, always remember to examine the patient from the front and the back. When I did my surgery residency, I remember being on call when I received an emergency call about a decompensated patient who had a gunshot wound that appeared to have caused no damage beyond a burn on the skin. However, the patient had been in the emergency room for 24 hours and was getting worse. When I arrived, the patient was in bad condition, with a very high heart rate and in a lot of pain. When I turned the patient over, he had another wound on his back that no one had noticed. That wound had penetrated the abdominal cavity, and the patient had to undergo emergency surgery. Sometimes amid the stress of being in front of one or more injured people, we can inadvertently skip some parts of the physical examination. That’s why we have to be methodical. You can start the evaluation at the head and finish at the feet without leaving anything out. Find your method and practice it.

As times change, we must change alongside it. If the year 2020 has taught us anything, it is that life itself is fragile and good health is underrated. We really never know what is going to happen and so there is a need for us to be prepared. March 2020 left the entire world standing in utter surprise and confusion as the COVID 19 spread like wild fire throughout countries and continents. The world was thrown into a state of chaos, not knowing the adequate reaction to such a deadly pandemic. Lives were lost from the disease, hunger, other health issues, and lack of access to the health centers and medications. In 2020 it was the pandemic, but it could be any disaster such as an earthquake, a tsunami, or an economic crisis. Therefore, we must have certain medical supplies at home that are useful in the event of an emergency. Having the right medical supplies ranging from medical equipment to medications is key to surviving any medical emergency in the face of a disaster. Naproxen is a medication that belongs to the NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug) family. It is very effective in treating moderate pain, swelling, and even in cases of a fever. It has proven to be very effective in relieving pain caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, gout attacks, muscles pains, headaches, sprains, menstrual cramps, and dental pains. Naproxen generates rapid and long lasting relief. Definitely a necessity at home. Loratadine is also a fundamental supply in homes, useful in cases of allergies such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and urticaria (allergic skin rash). It is effective in the relief of pruritus, watery eyes, runny

nose, and sneezing associated with seasonal allergies or flu. It is a second generation antihistaminic medication which can be used both in older people and children above the age of 2. Having a thermometer at home makes it easy to determine body temperature. A thermometer measures the temperature of the body and tells us if a person has a normal temperature, a fever (temperature above 38 degrees Celsius) or a low temperature (less than 35 degrees Celsius). This comes in very handy in pediatric emergencies. Fever is frequent in kids and they frequently suffer convulsions from high temperature. Having a thermometer at home helps us know when to control body temperature and prevent convulsions or other complications of a fever. Acetaminophen is the number one drug for fevers and headaches. It is a non-opioid analgesic (painrelieving) and antipyretic (fever-treating) drug used for treatment of mild to moderate pain and fever. Acetaminophen can be administered to kids and adults alike as it comes in the form of pills, liquids, injections and rectal suppository. It has proven to be effective in treating flu like symptoms. Gauze sponges come in handy in the home as good materials for cleaning wounds, dressing wounds and applying pressure on a bleeding surface of the body. Since they are sterile, they serve as a protective barrier between the injured part of the body and the external surface. Bandages are very effective for treating and protecting minor injuries permitting a germ-free healing process. They are useful in cases such as small cuts, scratches etc. They have a protective function that allows the injured person to go about their daily activities without exposing the injury to infections. Medical gloves should be a house hold item. In cases of injuries, bleeding, wound dressing and cleaning, you must wear gloves. As we all know, our hands carry a large number of germs as we go about our activities touching surfaces, objects or people; therefore the use of gloves to access injured parts of the body, remove foreign objects from an airway, etc. is very important. Alcohol and alcohol swabs have become one of the most sold medical supplies in recent times as COVID 19 taught us the importance of disinfecting surfaces and objects. It is also a well-known fact that many people are prone to injuries such as minor cuts, burns or scrapes. In such cases, a little amount of alcohol or an alcohol swab is your best bet. Alcohol can be used to destroy germs that could be present in open wounds. Sniffing alcohol/alcohol swabs has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing nausea and vomiting too. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) should be readily available in every home. There are many reasons why people may present with gastrointestinal upset leading to vomiting and diarrhea. In such cases there is loss of liquid and electrolytes causing the affected person to suffer dehydration which can in turn lead to shock. This is frequent in kids below the age of 5. Having ORS at home helps us prevent complications from diarrhea and vomiting by replacing lost liquid and electrolytes. Omeprazole is the go-to medication for stomach upset, heart burns and other acid related issues. It works by blocking acid production in the cells of the stomach. Many people suffer from gastritis and ulcers and sometimes eating certain foods or overeating might cause stomach upset. In such cases omeprazole will be functional in eliminating the discomfort and bring relief. The above mentioned medications are over the counter drugs that could be bought in stores or pharmacies without prescription, which makes them readily available for home use. However, it is always important to consult your physician before use. These supplies and medications are all very